Training Camp Getaway

[Longtimefan]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

It was kind of interesting that Shanahan said he wants training camp away because unless I'm mistaken the Broncos held training camp in Englewood, just 20 minutes from Denver while Shanahan was coach there

I was trying to find something on their history of Training Camp locations. What we don't know is just what facilities in the area were available and/or suitable to the needs necessary to conduct Training Camp.

Many area Redskins fans have from time to time expressed the desire for change after the year we were charged $10.00 to park our vehicles, and another $10.00 to enter the facility. Some thought it was more about the money than about the fans enjoying the experience. More than 3,000 fans were on hand for the first day of Training Camp that year, and at $20.00 per. that's like $60,000 a day, leaving many to wonder what those proceeds went towards even though we know we're not entitled to an explanation.

Speaking about getting away, the Dallas Cowboys are on record as being the team that conducted Training Camp the farthest from their home playing field. They conducted Camp in Oxnard, Cal. more than 1,500 miles from home.

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by Hog1

In building the NEW team culture, it is important to break with the past.......
Back to Carlisle!!

Well isn't Carlisle part of the past?

[Longtimefan]

Originally Posted by firstdown

Well isn't Carlisle part of the past?

It is indeed firstdown, and the intriguing part of it is, it' a glorious link, one contrary to what we've witnessed for the past decade.

Our new GM Bruce Allen has an affinity for Carlisle, it being the birthplace of his history of association with the Redskins. When I get things up and running, I have some pictures of Bruce Allen playing catch with Billy Kilmer before practice when he was a young teen-ager. It's my wish to be able to up-load them to the site.

I guess we don't know if this talk about moving Training Camp is going to amount to anything, maybe it will (if not this year) then sometime in the near future it will become a topic of more discussion.

I appreciate everyone weighing-in, some interesting viewpoints have been expressed.

[Monkeydad]

Originally Posted by firstdown

Well isn't Carlisle part of the past?

It was a part of the past that included winning.

While we need to move this franchise forward, there are also some traditions that need to return.

Progress doesn't always mean trying all new things. Carlisle could be a positive step to return to our winning ways, as well as a strong offensive line and having the coaching done by coaches, not the ownership and his lackies.

[Lotus]

I'm not lobbying for this, but we could also go away to camp in a new place, rather than in Carlisle.

[Longtimefan]

Originally Posted by Lotus

I'm not lobbying for this, but we could also go away to camp in a new place, rather than in Carlisle.

That's true, many think there are various alternatives that does not necessarily include Carlisle, just someplace other than Ashburn Va. that have the proper facilities.

[sportscurmudgeon]

Originally Posted by Longtimefan

That's true, many think there are various alternatives that does not necessarily include Carlisle, just someplace other than Ashburn Va. that have the proper facilities.

I have a vague recollection that the Skins left Carlisle - - Dickinson College - - because the facilities in terms of meeting rooms with modern amenities and the housing facilities were "sub-standard". I never stayed in any of the housing units so I don't know if that is the case and I would have to think that whatever meeting rooms might have existed in the 1990s have undergone some kind of change since then.


So, I don't know if Carlisle is a viable option in 2010, but I do think that a training camp away from Ashburn Va is a good idea.

[Hog1]

Originally Posted by sportscurmudgeon

I have a vague recollection that the Skins left Carlisle - - Dickinson College - - because the facilities in terms of meeting rooms with modern amenities and the housing facilities were "sub-standard". I never stayed in any of the housing units so I don't know if that is the case and I would have to think that whatever meeting rooms might have existed in the 1990s have undergone some kind of change since then.


So, I don't know if Carlisle is a viable option in 2010, but I do think that a training camp away from Ashburn Va is a good idea.

Not only that, but I would have to think that DC would work to accomodate, and entice the team to return. I must be quite a boon for the college and the town?

[tryfuhl]

Originally Posted by Lotus

I'm not lobbying for this, but we could also go away to camp in a new place, rather than in Carlisle.

Yeah it doesn't have to be Carlisle by any means.

[Longtimefan]

Originally Posted by sportscurmudgeon

I have a vague recollection that the Skins left Carlisle - - Dickinson College - - because the facilities in terms of meeting rooms with modern amenities and the housing facilities were "sub-standard". I never stayed in any of the housing units so I don't know if that is the case and I would have to think that whatever meeting rooms might have existed in the 1990s have undergone some kind of change since then.


So, I don't know if Carlisle is a viable option in 2010, but I do think that a training camp away from Ashburn Va is a good idea.

Interesting you mention that because in 2000 the last year we were there a very good friend of mine had a Son that played football for Dickinson College. He would always talk about how much the school loved to host the Redskins in the summer. They had made an extra effort to make things as hospitable as possible. The players and coaches all loved it there and the town of Carlisle was so overwhelmed at the thought of the Redskins being there every year. They were good for business, and the people there had a love for the Redskins that's not easy to explain

[RedskinMike]

Originally Posted by Longtimefan

Interesting you mention that because in 2000 the last year we were there a very good friend of mine had a Son that played football for Dickinson College. He would always talk about how much the school loved to host the Redskins in the summer. They had made an extra effort to make things as hospitable as possible. The players and coaches all loved it there and the town of Carlisle was so overwhelmed at the thought of the Redskins being there every year. They were good for business, and the people there had a love for the Redskins that's not easy to explain

1994 was the last year the Skins held training camp in Carlisle. After that it was 5 years in Frostburg then from 2000 to present Ashburn.

[tryfuhl]

Originally Posted by RedskinMike

1994 was the last year the Skins held training camp in Carlisle. After that it was 5 years in Frostburg then from 2000 to present Ashburn.

We went back for 2001 and 2002.

[RedskinMike]

Originally Posted by tryfuhl

We went back for 2001 and 2002.

You sir are correct.

[81forHOF]

Living just 5 miles from Carlisle I maybe a little biased but I say BRING EM BACK. Marty said it best when he said that football players 'needed to smell each others feet'.

As for Dickinson college being sub-standard ( and I don't believe it is) that would be fine by me. Part of the point of it is pulling these guys out of their luxurious homes to train is so they can develop some grit. Remember the difference between how Rocky and Klubber Lang trained prior to their 1st match in Rocky III. I liken the Redskins training in Redskins park to Rocky's pretty-boy training style that got his ass whooped!

And in response to the person who said it was not Spurrier who wanted them back at redskins park - I was living here then and it was his doing. We did not have golf courses that could compete with Avenel - and you see where that got us. It's less distractions for everyone!!

Looking forward to having a beer with anyone who would like to join me once they bring them back!

[JLee9718]

In the days of Jurgensen and Kilmer, training camp was always held away from the DC area. This means that they were able to build some kind of camaraderie where they could go into the season with more unity. I'm guessing this is an element that has been missing over the last few seasons.